Shine Like Stars

Tonight there is a lunar eclipse. An eclipse is when the earth orbits directly between the sun and moon causing the shadow of the earth to pass over the face of the full moon, making the moon go dark. What is significant about this eclipse it's is supermoon. It's when the moon is closest to the earth in it's orbit, making it appear 14 percent larger in the sky. If we have clear sky this eclipse will be a phenomenal event to witness. The last time there was a supermoon lunar eclipse was in 1983, 32 years ago, and the next one won't be for another 18 years in 2033 ... I will be 68 years old, babies born now will be graduating high school and, my sweet ones, you will be in your 40's. So this is something you do not want to miss. Plus the next regular lunar eclipse won't be until 2018. And here's another reason to watch it: t's the fourth blood moon we've had in a year. A blood moon is another name for a lunar eclipse. When the earth's shadow passes in front of the moon it makes it look red. People have associated blood moons with various historical occurrences and some see them is prophetic Biblical events, inching us every closer to the end times. So you have several reasons to keep your eyes on the night sky tonight. It starts at 8:07 p.m. CST and should be a full lunar eclipse by 10:11 p.m. lasting about an hour.

By the way there is an opportunity for us here in America to see a solar eclipse Aug. 21, 2017. That is when the moon passes between the earth and the sun. It's one you cannot look at with your naked eye - even though you think you can - because it will blind you.

As you can see I have quite a passion for all things in our Father's heavenly sky. Shooting stars, comets, eclipses and constellations have been captivating mankind since the dawn of time. It's something we cannot control and gives us a glimpse of the awesomeness of our Father God and His creation. I recently saw a video where several fellows recreated to scale our solar system in dry lake bed, seven miles wide, in Nevada. Our earth was a blue marble in this model with the sun to scale at more than a yard wide. The model featured the planet's orbits. To get out wide enough to see the orbits, you cannot see the planets. It's that big. It was amazing to see. And to think it's just one solar system in one galaxy in our universe. We serve an awesome God.

Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God."  Scriptures tells us "the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands," (Isaiah 55:12), "stones will cry out" in worship (Luke 19:40), the sea will roar and fields exult His name (1 Chronicles 16:32). Creation worships the Creator. This God of ours, who put so much effort into creating our world that can't help but glorify Him, put that same effort in to us. And we too should do like wise. Like the stars, the trees, the mountains, the sea, the field ... and the supermoon lunar eclipse, we need to shout to the world, "Glory to God! Can you see Him?! Can you feel Him!? Look what He has done! Praise His name!"

Be in awe of what our Father has done, for it's mighty. Likewise, look in the mirror and be in awe. For you, like the beauty of this world, have been created for His glory. And he calls us to "shine like stars in the universe." (Philippians 2:15).

Discussion: Have you ever seen a lunar eclipse? What is the most beautiful thing you have seen in all creation that declares God's glory? Do you think of yourself as God's beautiful creation?

Prayer: Lord God, we magnify your nae along with your world. You have created this beautiful universe for us, and it's is majesty and mighty! We thank you for it. May we, like it, declare your glory. In Christ, Amen.